News
Whistleblower Awareness Day
March 24 is Whistleblower Awareness Day across Canada. This day is a chance to talk about whistleblower legislation and highlight the vital role whistleblowers play to help maintain accountability and integrity in public services.
The Public Interest Disclosure (Whistleblower Protection) Act (PIDA) in Manitoba outlines a process for bringing forward concerns and provides protection to employees who do so. More than 700 publicly funded bodies or entities are subject to PIDA in Manitoba. This includes public health facilities and authorities, government departments/programs/agencies, universities, school divisions, some municipalities and many other publicly funded organizations. Public bodies subject to PIDA are listed in PIDA regulation.
Employees & Whistleblowing
Employees are best positioned to identify potential wrongdoing. Their knowledge and training on proper processes in an organization can help identify when practices are wrong. Whistleblowing under PIDA provides an opportunity to uphold the rule of law, protect the health and safety of people or the environment, and ensure the proper use of public resources. It can help address potential wrongdoings for better public administration and service delivery, supporting accountability and integrity in Manitoba’s public services
Making a Disclosure to the Ombudsman
Employees and non-employees who believe they have information about a potential wrongdoing can contact us to provide information. We encourage people to seek our advice before submitting a PIDA disclosure or reprisal complaint. We can explain what could be considered serious and significant wrongdoing and tell you about the disclosure process and what you can expect. Our services are free and confidential.
Making a Disclosure to your Workplace
Public bodies subject to PIDA are required to establish procedures to support employees seeking advice or making whistleblower disclosures within their organization. Public bodies are also required to communicate about PIDA and their PIDA procedures to all employees every year.
Reprisal Protection
Employees who make a disclosure, seek advice or participate in a PIDA investigation are protected from reprisal. Reprisal refers to measures taken against that employee such as a disciplinary measure, demotion, termination, or any measure to negatively affect employment or working conditions, including making threats to do so. If an employee believes reprisal has occurred, because of their participation in a PIDA whistleblowing process, they may make a complaint to Manitoba Ombudsman.